The word religion is derived from the Latin word ‘re ligare’. Re means ‘back’ and ligare means ‘to the origin’. Together they mean ‘that which binds one back to the origin’. The origin of all jivas is paramatma. To get to the origin is the ultimate aim of human life. This necessitates realization of God within the human body.

Religion is essentially the manifestation of divinity already in man. It is not anything gross which is to be stuffed into a man from outside. It is present in every human being. It is essentially the uncovering of what lies hidden in the inner realm. It is seeing and experiencing the inner world with a divine eye, just as the two eyes see the maya-ridden world outside. While the latter binds us to the elusive phenomenal physical world of objects, the former unites us with Supreme Brahman resulting in the manifestation of our true divine nature.

There is no real difference between an ignorant materialist and the highest ecclesiastical giant who can render high-winded speeches. We are all atheists till we have actually perceived God within this human body.

Ashutoshji Maharaj

(Shri Ashutosh Ji Maharaj is the founder of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan in New Delhi.)